Aerial view over Eastpoint, Fla. where the Lime Rock Road Fire ripped through the area consuming more than 30 homes Sunday evening and is still smoldering in areas Monday.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)Buy Photo

As state officials scrambled to help the victims of the 800-acre Limerock Wildfire get back on their feet, investigators continued to dig into the factors that sparked the blaze, which caused an estimated $1.7 million in property damage.

An army of state workers from several agencies descended on Franklin County Thursday to help process insurance claims, provide temporary housing assistance, assess property damage and replace lost driver licenses and auto registrations.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agents with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continued to dig into how the fire spread after determining it started with a prescribed burn in the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area.

"The cause has been determined and we are going to finalize the details of the investigative report at which time it will be made public," said Jennifer Meale of the Department of Agriculture.

Questions remain.

How did a prescribed burn that was supposedly extinguished on June 19, escape its containment area and roar through a 600-acre buffer five days later to burn down 36 homes in a wooded Eastpoint neighborhood occupied by more than 100 people?

And who is ultimately responsible for making those victims whole again?

Right now, officials in Franklin County are more concerned about providing immediate relief to the dozens of people who lost their homes and getting a handle on the extent of the damage — many of whom were renters without insurance.

"I’m sure that, the way we are looking at it right now, this could drag out forever as far as court," said Pam Brownell, director of emergency management for Franklin County. "People can’t wait for that."

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Vehicles that have been burned out are left destroyed on the Thornburg property Tuesday in Eastpoint, Fla. where a wildfire, still smoldering, ripped through the area consuming more than 30 homes. (Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

Assessing the damage

An assessment of real property by the Franklin County Property Appraiser put the damage at $1.7 million, and that doesn't include tangible personal property.

"Today our commissioner has asked the tax collector for an assessment of personal property because a lot of boats and cars got burned up," Brownell said.

Meanwhile, the recovery work continues four days after the fire displaced more than 120 residents living mostly in mobile homes and travel trailers.

"We are making sure people got food and water," Brownell said. "We are going into the community and going house to house to see who lives where."

About 90 people have shown up at the Red Cross to register and get a case manager, she said. But a lot of others are still out there, which makes it harder to tell exactly how many people are in need, she said.

A small ember burns in front of the remains of a home on Wilderness Drive in Eastpoint on Monday. A catastrophic wildfire ripped through the area the night before, destroying 950 acres of land and numerous homes.(Photo: Andrew Salinero/Democrat)

State offers relief

Gov. Rick Scott pledged this week to “see what resources there are at the state and federal level. We’re going to do everything we can to be helpful to each of these families.”

On Thursday, several state agencies sent a platoon of emergency management, housing and insurance agents down to assist with the local recovery efforts.

They were there to assist with preliminary damage assessments and figure out what the state can do to help the families affected by the wildfire. State officials discussed with county officials how to redirect state housing funds without a disaster declaration or executive order from the governor.

No executive order has been issued yet but could be if an unmet need requires one, according to the Division of Emergency Management. Usually, such orders are issued in advance of an emergency or disaster where the recovery could exceed the state’s ability to respond.

Also, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis sent a vanguard of risk management adjusters and insurance agents down to Franklin County to help people navigate the insurance system and file claims.

Victims can file for partial settlement claims for up to $5,000 per household for emergency living expenses but a proof of residency is required.

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A burnt out school bus, one of multiple vehicles left destroyed on the Thornburg property Tuesday in Eastpoint, Fla. where a wildfire, still smoldering, ripped through the area consuming more than 30 homes. (Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

Casting blame

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam as much as admitted the state was responsible when he said investigators determined the wildfire was caused by a prescribed burn started by a contractor for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

He ruled out arson, lightning and other causes.

Following an invitation for bids, FWC hired Tallahassee-based Wildlands Service to conduct the prescribed burn for $26,400, records show. Wildlands conducted the burn on June 18 and made a final evaluation the next day that all went well.

The wildfire crossed 600 acres of privately owned land and hit Eastpoint several days later, on Sunday. Firefighters from the Florida Forest Service and several other agencies spent days knocking down the blaze.

On Wednesday, FWC issued a news release saying it had suspended its statewide burn program and was conducting an internal investigation to see that all safety policies and procedures were followed.

It later released a statement that it was working with the Forest Service to conduct a full independent review and "hold any entity found responsible for wrongdoing accountable."

CLOSE

This video was taken through a car window, driving close to the Eastpoint fire.
Shine Pearson, Shine Pearson

As of Thursday, the Florida Forest Service and FWC were still investigating.

Wildlands has been conducting controlled burns for 18 years with different agencies, said Doug Williams, the company's owner.

“Occasionally we get escapes, but nothing like this,” he told the Democrat in a short interview Wednesday.

Wildlands had an insurance policy of $1 million for commercial general liability and $5 million for umbrella liability per incident.

Each agency that conducts controlled burns is responsible for the contractors and subcontractors they hire to perform the work.

The Forest Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, authorizes all prescribed burns in the state. It is also the Forest Service and Department of Agriculture's job to investigate wildfires and send a bill for suppression services to whoever is held responsible.

"A lot of blame assignation is contractual," said Ben Wilson, a trial attorney in Orlando who has handled many wildfire lawsuits. "We need to investigate and review contracts between the agency and subcontractors who potentially have their hand in this."

A legal team would have to review the circumstances and determine whether there was criminal intent, reckless conduct or general negligence.

"As far as any agency or department being held responsible," Wilson said, "it’s too early to pigeonhole."

Contact Schweers at jschweers@tallahassee.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffschweers.